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bbc.com
Oil price jumps despite deal to release record amount of reserves
It comes as Iranian attacks on ships intensify in the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Oil markets: Nice try on the reserve release
Multiple developments are complicating the energy market, and none are calming prices.
cnbc.com
Asia-Pacific markets fall as Iran war continues to fuel oil volatility
Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday as investors grappled with volatile oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
cnbc.com
European markets set to open lower as oil prices jump despite reserve release
European stocks are expected to open lower on Thursday as investors monitor the Iran war and global oil prices.
bbc.com
'Heating oil suppliers are holding us to ransom'
People across the South East say the cost of heating their home soared after war broke out in Iran.
bbc.com
Heating oil orders cancelled and prices hiked
South of England households report cancelled orders, price hikes and heating oil supply issues.
cnbc.com
The Iran war is pushing up European energy prices. Here's why a Ukraine-style inflation shock could still be avoided
The Iran war has rattled global energy markets, but analysts say Europe can avoid a full-blown 2022-style supply crisis.
bbc.com
Food voucher scheme extended until September
A county council says it has earmarked £2.7m to fund the scheme until September.
theguardian.com
MPs launch student loans inquiry amid ‘perfect storm’ for young people in UK
Influential Treasury committee chair Meg Hillier says review follows growing concern over graduate debtUK firms struggling to hire young people amid cost pressures, MPs toldYoung adults in the UK face a “perfect storm” of economic challenges, the head of the influential Treasury select committee has warned as it launches an inquiry into student loans.The cross-party committee’s investigation comes as the government considers ways to ease the burden on graduates, amid a growing backlash about high interest rates and hefty repayments, including among Labour MPs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
European drivers face €220 a year jump in fuel costs due to Iran conflict, say experts
Exclusive: Oil at $100 a barrel means higher prices in the EU and UK, making savings for those with electric vehicles even greater, analysts sayEuropean drivers face paying an extra €220 (£190) a year at the pumps because of the surge in oil prices caused by the war in Iran, analysts have warned. In the UK, a separate estimate puts the cost at an extra £140.A sustained oil price of $100 a barrel, the level seen on Monday, would mean motorists in the EU paying €55bn more over a year, researchers at the Transport & Environment (T&E) thinktank estimated. That is the equivalent of an average of €220 for each driver, with higher-mileage drivers facing even bigger hikes. The assessment was made by comparing data from 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed the oil price to the $100 mark, with data from 2017-2019. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Oil price tops $100 again as Iran strikes economic targets across Middle East
Vast release of emergency crude reserves fails to quell mounting fears around energy supply crunch, rattling global marketsOil prices again topped $100 per barrel on Thursday as widespread Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern energy facilities overshadowed a vast release of government reserves.As Donald Trump vowed to “finish the job” and press ahead with the US-Israel war on Iran, the country’s regime stepped up retaliatory strikes on economic targets across the region. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: How the war in the Middle East is set to determine India's trade route to Europe
As the U.S.-Israel war with Iran rages on, experts say that only one of India's two grand connectivity bets has a real future: IMEC.
theguardian.com
Fuel tankers burst into flames in Iraqi waters after suspected Iranian boat attacks – video
Iranian boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers, which were seen ablaze after projectiles struck three vessels in Iraqi waters, port officials said. The ships targeted in late-night armed boat attacks in the Gulf near Iraq were the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zefyros. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
A global food price shock looms as Middle East war rages on. Here's who will be hit hardest
A widening Middle East conflict that disrupts trade through the Strait of Hormuz could ripple far beyond the energy markets, risking a spike in global food prices.
theguardian.com
Asia scrambles to confront energy crisis unleashed by Iran war – with no end in sight
From fuel caps to four-day work weeks, the Middle East conflict has left the world’s top crude oil importing region desperate to shore up suppliesDonald Trump has scrambled in recent days to reassure the world that the economic impact of his war on Iran can be contained.Sure, one of the most important waterways in global trade has, in effect, been shut for almost two weeks – but it might reopen before long. In the meantime, US oil-related sanctions on “some countries” will be lifted. And besides, the entire conflict could be over soon. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Plans for record emergency oil release signal Middle East war could drag on for months
The degree to which the IEA acted is being interpreted that the conflict could continue for many weeks, said analysts.
cnbc.com
Brent crude hits $100 a barrel as reserve release plans fail to ease Iran war-led supply worries
The IEA said Wednesday that its 32 member countries would release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves.
theguardian.com
‘Devastating blow’: Atlassian lays off 1,600 workers ahead of AI push
Layoffs to affect 10% of workforce amid Australian company’s restructuring plan to push into artificial intelligence and enterprise salesSoftware giant Atlassian has announced it is laying off about 10% of its workforce, or roughly 1,600 positions, and replacing its chief technology officer as it restructures to invest further in artificial intelligence.More than 900 affected positions were involved in software research and development, a spokesperson said. Most of Atlassian’s employees work in software engineering and design, accounting for over 50% of its 13,813 full-time workforce in June 2025. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Noma chef resigns amid shocking allegations of physical abuse of staff
René Redzepi also steps down from non-profit board after accusations of both physical and psychological abuseRené Redzepi, the head chef and co-founder of Noma, announced Wednesday he was resigning from his internationally acclaimed Copenhagen restaurant following allegations that he had physically abused his staff.Redzepi had been facing protests in Los Angeles before a four-month pop-up that launched this week. His resignation comes after the New York Times detailed shocking allegations of physical and psychological abuse, including claims that he “punched employees in the face, jabbed them with kitchen implements and slammed them against walls”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US launches probe into trading partners including the EU, China and India
The move comes weeks after the US Supreme Court struck down a key part of Trump's tariffs policies.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Oil and trade tariff uncertainty rattle global markets
The IEA agreed Wednesday to release a record 400 million barrels of oil, and the U.S. would tap 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
cnbc.com
Iran war: Trump says he's not worried about domestic terror attack
President Donald Trump said oil companies should send tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained effectively closed due to the war on Iran.
bbc.com
A small US grocer is calling out the lower prices at big chains
It is 'impossible for us to compete', says the boss of a New York grocery store.
bbc.com
What role has cyber warfare played in Iran?
Militaries are often cagey about their cyber activities. But the US has hinted at the role it has played.
bbc.com
Social media firms asked to toughen up age checks for under-13s
Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and Roblox are among the platforms UK regulators say aren't putting children's safety at the heart of their products.
theguardian.com
‘Convincing’ AI scams drove UK fraud cases to record 444,000 last year
Criminals using artificial intelligence tools to take over mobile, bank and online shopping accounts, says CifasCriminals are increasingly exploiting AI technology to take over people’s mobile, banking and online shopping accounts, the UK’s leading anti-fraud body has warned.Last year, a record number of scams were reported to the national fraud database, fuelled by AI, which allows for large-scale deception on “industrialised” levels, according to Cifas, the fraud prevention organisation. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Starmer vows to crack down on 'profiteering' from fuel crisis
The prime minister is in Northern Ireland and is expected to hold talks with party leaders and visit a community centre.
theguardian.com
Trump officials kick off process to try to replace tariffs struck down by supreme court
Administration opens new trade investigation into manufacturing in foreign countriesThe Trump administration on Wednesday opened a new trade investigation into manufacturing in foreign countries – an effort that comes after the supreme court struck down Donald Trump’s previous use of tariffs by declaring an economic emergency.The US president and his team have made clear that they’re seeking to replace the hundreds of billions of dollars in lost revenues after the supreme court’s February ruling by using different laws to establish new tariffs . Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump administration launches Section 301 trade probes into Mexico, China, EU, others
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, said President Trump was not authorized by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, IEEPA, to impose tariffs.
bbc.com
Big Tech backs Anthropic in fight against Trump administration
A group representing tech giants called government action against Anthropic a "temper tantrum".
cnbc.com
How the Iran war could impact hyperscalers' massive AI buildout in the Middle East
Tech companies have funnelled billions of dollars into Middle East AI projects — the Iran war means questions will be asked about future investments
cnbc.com
Chubb set as main U.S. insurer for Persian Gulf shipping amid Iran war
The insurance giant will work with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to help backstop shipping.
cnbc.com
Microsoft plans to ship prototype of next Xbox console to developers in 2027
The next generation of Microsoft's video game hardware will first land in the hands of developers next year.
bbc.com
Home of family with newborn 'a biohazard' after oil theft as prices spiral
"Absolute travesty" for family targeted by thieves, as oil price rises - and reports of price gouging - prompt watchdog to act.
cnbc.com
Treasury yields gain after sticky February inflation reading, oil price increase
U.S. Treasury yields moved higher on Wednesday as assessed February's inflation report and monitored developments on the US-Iran war front.
cnbc.com
Nebius stock pops 16% on Nvidia $2 billion investment announcement
The announcement comes a week after Nvidia unveiled partnerships with Lumentum and Coherent, investing $2 billion in each company.
cnbc.com
Food prices could rise as Iran conflict disrupts fertilizer supply chain
The Iran conflict is disrupting fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, raising supply concerns and potentially increasing global food inflation.
cnbc.com
Oracle's TikTok stake sits at just over $2 billion, filing shows
Oracle bought 15% of TikTok's U.S. operations in January after China's ByteDance was forced by U.S. law to divest.
theguardian.com
Birmingham bin workers’ strike: why did it start and when will it end?
Unite union began all-out strike more than a year ago and city remains without full waste collection serviceIt has been more than a year since Birmingham’s bin workers began their all-out strike that has left residents without a fully functioning waste collection service – and there is still no end in sight.The strikes have attracted global media attention as pictures emerged of towering waste and overflowing bins on the streets of the UK’s second largest city. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Billionaire Zara founder Amancio Ortega to receive €3.23bn dividend
Payment for Inditex founder, the world’s 15 richest person, tops last year’s dividend of €3.1bnThe billionaire founder of Zara is to receive a company record €3.23bn (£2.8bn) dividend this year from the world’s biggest fashion retailer.Amancio Ortega, who still controls 59% of Spain’s Inditex and whose daughter Marta Ortega Pérez is now chair, will receive half his dividend in May and half in November – as will other shareholders. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Adam Smith: he deserves rescuing from the free-market myth | Editorial
On the 250th anniversary of The Wealth of Nations, the Scottish philospher is still invoked by the right. Yet he worried about inequality, monopoly and the power of wealthThis week 250 years ago, Adam Smith published An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations – and invented economics. The anniversary has been marked by opinion columns, new books and academic conferences. How different it was 50 years ago. The 1976 bicentenary produced the definitive scholarly edition and helped cast Smith as the father of free-market economics. This was an easy sell during the 1970s slow collapse of the postwar economic order. Smith was useful as a symbolic figure for the revival of free-market ideas. Yet the truth is more complicated.Milton Friedman, a Nobel laureate, recruited Smith as the patron saint of neoliberal economics in his 1980 book and television series Free to Choose – a manifesto that anticipated Reaganism in the US. He reduced Smith to two claims: that a voluntary exchange benefits both parties and that self-interest is led by an “invisible hand” that unintentionally promotes the public interest. In short: greed is good. In fact, Smith used the phrase “invisible hand” only once in The Wealth of Nations, to describe whether merchants invest their capital at home or abroad – and not, as Friedman claimed, as a general theory of markets. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Three cargo ships struck off Iran's coast, UK says, including one in Strait of Hormuz
The incidents mark the latest in a string of reported attacks in or near to the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping traffic has virtually ground to a halt.
theguardian.com
Will Iran war make the UK cost of living crisis worse? – The Latest
Rising oil prices and market turmoil as a result of the war in the Middle East are fuelling fears the cost of living crisis could get even tougher. Energy bills, mortgage rates and petrol prices could all surge in the fallout from the conflict. So how much could the war tighten the screws on our personal finances? Lucy Hough speaks to the deputy editor of the Guardian’s money section, Rupert Jones – watch on YouTubeHow will war in the Middle East affect your finances? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Binance sues Wall Street Journal over reporting on Iranian sanctions
Journal reported that cryptocurrency exchange shut down internal investigation into transactions with network funding terror groupsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US government is investigating Binance over allegations that Iran used the crypto exchange to evade sanctions and illegally move funds, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday.Binance has denied these claims and even sued the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday for defamation. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oracle stock spikes 9% as strong Q3 earnings answer Wall Street AI build-out concerns
Oracle CEO Clayton Magouyrk said on an earnings call the company's model of having customers provide data chips for new data center builds is working.
theguardian.com
Heating oil prices are being driven by greed, not war | Letter
It is hard to believe that attacks which started on 28 February can have had such a huge impact on oil that must have already been in the country, says Graham JudgeHilary Osborne (UK households that use heating oil face ‘frightening’ surge in bills over Iran war, 10 March) highlights that rural households are facing huge rises in the price of something that is a necessity.Sadly, not all the rises can be laid at the door of Donald Trump and his foolish war. Some of the increases are simply down to unashamed profiteering. On 2 March (48 hours after the war started) I had to pay 86.6p per litre of oil. This was 10p higher than the price on Friday 27 February. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Sir Ronnie Hampel obituary
Chief executive and chairman of ICI in the 1990s who oversaw the creation of the pharmaceutical company Zeneca Ronnie Hampel was a businessman’s businessman, a major force in the reshaping of ICI, Britain’s largest manufacturing company, in the 1990s and in the birth of the pharmaceutical company Zeneca (now part of AstraZeneca), as well as a powerful influence on other company boards.He was exceptionally well-connected. His place at the heart of the UK business establishment as chairman of ICI – from 1995 to 1999 – was highlighted by his regular golfing four which included the then cabinet secretary, the chairman of BP and the permanent secretary of the Treasury. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Will releasing millions of barrels of oil stockpiles really bring down fuel costs?
Despite rare act of multilateralism, there is no guarantee the IEA’s release of 400m barrels from reserves will depress pricesIEA orders largest ever release of stockpiled oil to reduce crude priceHow the Iran conflict could affect energy prices – video explainerWhen the global economy was still in the grip of the devastating 1970s oil crises, exposing the chokehold exerted by a few important oil states, the International Energy Agency (IEA) was created, in the hope of limiting future shocks.Almost half a century on, the IEA’s 32 members have drawn up plans to hit the emergency button, for only the fifth time in its history. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Consumer prices rose 2.4% annually in February, as expected
The consumer price index in February was expected to show a 2.4% increase from a year ago, according to the Dow Jones consensus.
theguardian.com
‘The shine has been taken off’: Dubai faces existential threat as foreigners flee conflict
Tens of thousands of residents and tourists have left UAE since the US and Israel started bombing Iran two weeks ago, leaving beach bars, malls and hotels eerily emptyIn the playground of the rich, nobody wanted this war. For decades, Dubai built itself up as a sanctuary of unadulterated consumerism visited by tourists the world over.But now, the city in the United Arab Emirates faces an existential threat, as the war between the US and Israel and Iran has shaken the foundations of the “Dubai dream” that so many foreigners had bought into. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
British fintech Revolut gets full banking licence
Group lodged application in 2021 but had to overcome accounting issues and reputational concernsRevolut can finally launch as a fully fledged UK bank after a five-year wait for regulatory approval.The fintech said it had received the all-clear from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) for a full banking licence, allowing it to offer accounts for retail and business customers. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Countries agree to record release of emergency oil reserves as prices surge
The G7 group of nations welcomes the idea of releasing oil in response to the surge in prices since the US-Israel war with Iran began
theguardian.com
Jim Ratcliffe gives up Ineos Grenadiers naming rights in €100m rebrand deal
Danish IT supplier Netcompany is new title sponsorTeam to be renamed and have a new kitJim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Grenadiers cycling team will be renamed and rebranded with a new lead sponsor and kit before the start of this year’s Tour de France in Barcelona on 4 July.The Guardian understands that while Ratcliffe and the Ineos head of sport, Dave Brailsford, will retain ownership and management of the British team, the new title sponsor will be the Danish IT supplier Netcompany. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
CMA to investigate heating oil suppliers over ‘blatant profiteering’ from Iran war
Competition watchdog says it will look into ‘concerning reports’ to see if they breach consumer protection laws Middle East crisis – live updatesHeating oil suppliers are to be investigated by the competition watchdog after accusations that firms are “blatantly profiteering” from the conflict in the Middle East by doubling the prices they charge to households.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had received “a number of concerning reports” in recent days from consumers reliant on heating oil about suppliers’ behaviour at a time of rising wholesale costs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Surely if you rule the manosphere, you can be your own boss? These influencers aren’t even that | Elle Hunt
Content creators claim they’ve escaped the 9 to 5, yet as Louis Theroux’s new show reveals, they are mere serfs to algorithms and audiences Who wouldn’t want to be an influencer? You’re famous and maybe even rich, just for doing what you’d be doing anyway: working out at the gym, hanging out with your mates and mucking about on the internet. You get paid to say what you think (or are at least sent free stuff), and no one’s telling you what to do. Surely only a sucker would do anything else.At least that is the influencing dream, and many young men are buying into it. “Content creator” has for years been cited as the most desirable career by generation Z and now gen Alpha. The preferred platforms might have changed over time, with streaming on Twitch and Kick now supplanting posting on Instagram and YouTube, but the aspiration remains the same: to escape the drudgery of a desk job. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I took two bites and had to spit it out’: candy makers are phasing out real cocoa in chocolate
Due to the volatile cocoa market, companies like Hershey are using replacement ingredients such as sugar, oil, milk and nutsJust before Valentine’s Day, Brad Reese bought a bag of Reese’s Unwrapped Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts from his local convenience store in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was a brand-new product, released especially for the holiday, tagline: “We’ll never break your heart.”Reese is a Reese’s aficionado who makes a point of trying everything the company produces. This isn’t a coincidence: he’s one of the Reeses, a grandson of HB Reese, the former Hershey dairy farmer who invented the peanut butter cup in 1928. Although he’s never worked for Reese’s or Hershey, which acquired the peanut butter cup company in 1963, Reese considers himself a custodian of HB’s legacy. He also takes an avid interest in the Hershey company and its leadership. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK companies struggling to hire young people amid cost pressures, MPs told
Business lobby groups say firms less likely to take on staff with few qualifications or who have gaps in their CVsBritish companies are struggling to afford to hire young people after a long period of rising costs that have hit profit margins and derailed recruitment plans, business leaders say.Rising labour costs including increases to the minimum wage and employer’s national insurance by the government have put young people at the back of the queue when employers consider recruitment, business lobby groups told MPs. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Revolut acquires full UK banking license after years-long wait
The UK-based startup hit a valuation of $75 billion in 2025 and is one of Europe's most valuable private tech companies.
cnbc.com
Iran sends millions of oil barrels to China through Strait of Hormuz even as war chokes the waterway
Iran has continued to ship crude oil via the Strait of Hormuz to China even as the war between U.S.-Israel and Iran has disrupted broader energy supplies via the waterway.
cnbc.com
Five things to know about Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei
"The Iranians are showing defiance by choosing the son of Khamenei," a former diplomat told CNBC.
cnbc.com
Meta rolls out in-house AI chips weeks after massive Nvidia, AMD deals
Meta's latest generations of its MTIA series of in-house chips for artificial intelligence will help support the company's massive data center expansion plans.
theguardian.com
Porsche to cut more jobs after costly reversal of electric car strategy
German carmaker has struggled with rising competition in China, a key market for European luxury brandsPorsche is to cut more jobs after profits were largely cancelled out by a costly writedown on reversing its electric car strategy, as the luxury manufacturer also battled a prolonged sales slump in China.The German carmaker appointed a new chief executive, Michael Leiters, on 1 January after four profit warnings last year that also contributed to it tumbling out of Germany’s DAX stock index. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Fuel tax hike plan to be kept under review over Iran, says PM
Fuel duty on petrol and diesel is due to rise from September, when a 5p cut is phased out.
bbc.com
US inflation stable ahead of Iran shock
With energy prices jumping, analysts say the report might be viewed as a "historical artefact".
theguardian.com
Meet the Americans withholding their federal income tax to protest against Trump
Some US taxpayers are refusing to pay the federal government amid ICE surges, the war with Iran and more“I’m not paying my federal income taxes this year,” Rachel Cohen declared in a recent Instagram video that received more than 140,000 likes.The 31-year-old lawyer in Chicago plans to put the $8,800 she owes the federal government in a high-yield savings account instead. She doesn’t want to fund wars in Iran and Gaza or immigration agents detaining her neighbors, she said. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Mortgage rates rise and deals pulled over Iran war turmoil
Average mortgage rates hit highest since last August in the biggest upheaval since the mini-Budget.
cnbc.com
Return to Russian energy would be 'strategic blunder,' EU says — but Moscow smells blood
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is considering stopping all fuel exports to Europe as the bloc seeks to mitigate energy supply crisis.
theguardian.com
‘Severe water stress’: why desalination plants are the Gulf’s greatest weakness
Recent attack on plants led to fears of escalating strikes, but Iran knows drought has left it equally vulnerableMiddle East crisis – live updatesIn 1983, the CIA determined that the most crucial commodity in the Gulf was its desalinated potable water.Although the loss of a single plant could be handled, “successful attacks on several plants in the most dependent countries could generate a national crisis that could lead to panic flights from the country and civil unrest”. And the greatest threat to the region’s water supply? “Iran.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Amazon is determined to use AI for everything – even when it slows down work
Corporate employees said Amazon’s race to roll out AI is leading to surveillance, slop and ‘more work for everyone’.When Dina, a software developer based in New York, joined Amazon two years ago, her job was to write code. Now, it’s mostly fixing what artificial intelligence breaks.The internal AI tool she’s expected to use, called Kiro, frequently hallucinates and generates flawed code, she says. Then she has to dig through and correct the sloppy code it creates, or just revert all changes and start again. She says it feels like “trying to AI my way out of a problem that AI caused”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
The Aldi-style disruptors who could be about to shake up the vets market
As pet owners complain of rising prices, independent practices want to take on the big chains.
bbc.com
Wildlife to replace historical figures on banknotes - and you get a say
The public will help choose which animals and birds will appear on the Bank of England's new notes.
theguardian.com
‘When I leave, part of me stays’: why Scarborough’s youth won’t turn their backs on the seaside town they love
Hemmed in by the sea and poor transport links, many young people from the Yorkshire town feel trapped, but there is also a pride in the areaIt’s the morning after a wet and stormy day in the Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough. The waves, which the previous day had been crashing dramatically on the harbour walls, have calmed and a few brave souls have entered the water with surfboards. There is a man throwing a ball for his dog on the beach and a kayaker bobbing on the waves.Just up from the seafront in the centre of town, Jack and Charlie, both 17, are leaning forward listening to a story from 19-year-old Keane about his recent visit to a drama school in London, where he is hoping to apply for a place on an actor training course once he has saved enough money.Scarborough, on the North Yorkshire coast, was one of England’s first seaside resorts Continue reading...
bbc.com
Iran war cost will be passed to consumers, shipping giant boss tells BBC
Maersk chief executive Vincent Clerc has called on the US, Israel and Iran to reach "some kind of deal".
theguardian.com
How Iran has used the strait of Hormuz to throttle oil and gas – a visual guide
The Tehran regime has weaponised geography in retaliation for the attacks by the US and Israel Global oil markets have recorded some of the biggest price swings in history this week after the US-Israeli war with Iran throttled the flow of Middle Eastern crude through the strait of Hormuz.The narrow waterway south of Iran is one of the world’s most important trade arteries, through which a fifth of global oil and seaborne gas is shipped from production facilities and refineries in the Gulf to buyers around the world. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
India-China reset? Relaxed rules allow Beijing to invest in India after about six years of friction
The Indian cabinet has approved changes to its foreign direct investment policy, allowing investments from "Land Bordering Countries."
theguardian.com
This is the story of Weda Bay – and how nature is being sacrificed for mining
Analysis has found more than 3,000 mining operations within the most naturally precious areas of the planet, a much bigger footprint than previously thoughtWeda Bay is just one example of a global trend that could see the mining industry expand into some of Earth’s last areas of wilderness in search of minerals and materials to feed the global economy.Analysis produced for the Guardian by a group of academic researchers found more than 3,267 mining operations within key biodiversity areas (KBAs), accounting for nearly 5% of the mining sector’s global footprint. China, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico top the rankings for total surface mining area within key biodiversity areas, the most naturally precious areas of the planet. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Cheaper commuting: the best ways to save on the costs of your travel to work
From railcards to route tweaks, here’s how to stop your daily train or car journey breaking the bankRevealed: new affordable commuter hotspots in Great BritainHomes for sale in new commuter hotspots in England – in picturesFor regular rail travellers, season tickets remain one of the biggest cost savers. A weekly, monthly or annual season ticket will work out much cheaper than paying daily fares, especially if you commute most days. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Iran oil crisis has proved Ed Miliband right on green energy. But households still need more help | Mathew Lawrence
Britain’s whole energy economy needs to be reformed – decarbonising the grid is only part of the mixBritain is once again paying the price of an energy system that is more effective at extracting profits than delivering security. Illegal war and geopolitical disruption are sending fossil fuel prices soaring – and because our electricity market turns volatile gas prices into higher electricity bills, families here risk paying the cost. The government is already unpopular. How it responds to this crisis, and the wider crisis of affordability, will define its legacy. Its instinct has been to double down on clean power. That has strong merit – but understanding that strategy’s limits shows why deeper reform is urgently necessary.The government’s goal is clear: achieve stable prices by removing gas from the grid. Britain’s electricity market uses a marginal pricing system, which means that the price paid for all electricity at any moment is set by the most expensive source needed to meet demand. Even though gas produces only about a quarter of our electricity, it sets the price around 85% of the time. That means even when renewables are generating most of the country’s power, your bill doesn’t reflect the cost of solar or wind. And because gas is a global commodity with the price set by the international market, the closing of the Strait of Hormuz translates into rising electricity bills in Hull – even as the horizon grows thick with wind turbines and the share of clean power on the grid grows every year.Mathew Lawrence is the director of Common Wealth Continue reading...
theguardian.com
If plant-based foods must be more honest, let’s do the same for meat – fancy some ‘cow muscle’? | Deirdra Barr
EU rules banning terms such as ‘bacon’ for veggie products are problematic, btw cow muscle = steakLast week, European policymakers decided that plant-based foods should no longer be marketed with terms such as “chicken”, “bacon” or “steak”. The fear seems to be that shoppers might accidentally buy veggie bacon thinking it came from an actual pig. The change applies to the UK too, because of our trade agreement with Europe.After considerable pushback from organisations including the one I work with, the Vegetarian Society, and many food brands, words such as “burger”, “nuggets” and “sausage” – as in, vegan sausage rolls – are still permitted, provided the packaging makes clear they are plant-based. But even those allowances could yet be revisited.Deirdra Barr is director of marketing and communications at the Vegetarian Society Continue reading...
bbc.com
Meta buys 'social media network for AI' Moltbook
The forum-style app has sparked interest by showing how AI bots interact without human involvement.
cnbc.com
CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: Beijing can't afford another crackdown on its tech companies
China's latest policy meetings underscored the importance of domestic tech innovation to national growth.
theguardian.com
‘If I go home, we don’t have enough money’: the low-paid Filipino workers caught up in the war on Iran
Filipino carer Mary Ann De Vera was the first victim of the war in Israel, while thousands of others remain in vulnerable positions across the Middle EastSirens warning of Iranian missiles blare out so frequently that Joycee Pelayo, a Filipino living near to Tel Aviv, doesn’t leave the house any more. Each time an alert sounds, she rushes to help the older man she cares for, supporting him into a wheelchair, then down the steps into a nearby shelter.“Last night, there were three alerts. We received it at about 2am, in the middle of the night, and then 3am, and then 4am,” says Pelayo. Continue reading...
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'Icky and heartbreaking': The $2 per hour worker behind the OnlyFans boom
The BBC talks to a Philippines-based woman paid to pretend to be an OnlyFans star in online chats.
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India's restaurants are under threat from the LPG supply crunch caused by the Iran war
Restaurants in India are facing closure as the government restricts the supply of LPG as cooking fuel, industry representatives tell CNBC.
theguardian.com
How the Iran conflict could affect prices around the world – video explainer
Oil markets have had some of the steepest price rises ever recorded as conflict in the Middle East escalated over the last week. Although the world is slowly becoming greener, fossil fuels are still the lifeblood of every economy so when oil and gas prices rise, the effect ripples through almost every aspect of our financial lives. Jillian Ambrose, energy correspondent for the Guardian, explains how the conflict may affect global costs.Oil prices ‘could breach $100 a barrel within days’ amid supply disruption from Iran war Continue reading...
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Iran war could knock UK homebuyer confidence, says builder Persimmon
Growing fears that elevated interest rates will continue, as Barclays finds worries that war will push up inflationBusiness live – latest updatesA leading British housebuilder has warned the Iran conflict could knock homebuyer sentiment, amid growing fears of a jump in inflation and a prolonged period of elevated interest rates.Persimmon said it was “monitoring the impact the conflict with Iran could have on our markets in 2026”, but noted that consumer sentiment could be sensitive amid more financial uncertainty. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Millions in England to pay higher water bills after suppliers appeal
Anglian, Southern, Wessex and South East allowed to raise charges more than originally permitted by watchdogBusiness live – latest updatesMillions of households in England will pay even higher water bills than previously expected, after the competition regulator gave its final verdict on industry spending plans for the coming years.Five water companies had appealed to the Competition and Markets Authority to let them raise bills higher than was initially allowed by Ofwat, the industry watchdog. On Tuesday, the CMA said it would let four of them raise annual bills by an extra 2.65% on average. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Ryanair insists we failed to board a phantom flight
Airline has refused refund after our flight was diverted because of bad weather and we were left on the plane for six hoursI was on a Ryanair flight from Bristol to Dublin that took off during Storm Amy in October last year. It was unable to land at Dublin after two abortive attempts and was diverted to Manchester, where we sat on the plane for six hours, with no complimentary refreshments, before being unceremoniously ejected at nearly midnight.We were told Ryanair staff would organise taxis and hotels, but no crew disembarked with us, and the terminal was deserted. Continue reading...
bbc.com
GPS jamming: The invisible battle in the Middle East
GPS jamming has made navigation hazardous in the Gulf, spurring efforts to develop alternatives.
bbc.com
Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'
Madrid cites humanitarian and economic reasons to give undocumented workers legal status.
bbc.co.uk
What in the World
Iran says it has closed the vital shipping channel to global trade.
bbc.com
Can snacks help you sleep?
Chocolates, bars, gummies and drinks promise to help you sleep, but is the science behind them sound?
bbc.com
We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever
Has online privacy become "a luxury not a right" for us all in 2026?
bbc.com
Wales' richest man says Britain is 'uncomfortable place' for Jews
The billionaire says "anti-semitism is always in the air" with parallels to the persecution his ancestors faced.
bbc.com
Know when to fold them: the tech inspired by origami
Origami techniques can add strength to structures without adding bulk.
bbc.com
Deepfake attack: 'Many people could have been cheated'
The boss of the Bombay Stock Exchange was recently targeted in what is a growing global problem.
bbc.co.uk
Edible Economics by Ha-Joon Chang (Omnibus)
Professor Ha-Joon Chang, “a hungry economist” explores why economics matters.
bbc.com
Why you should consider fixing your energy tariff now
Martin Lewis explains what the upcoming change to the energy price cap means for your bills.
bbc.com
Why you can't get a signal at festivals and sports matches
Connecting up music and sports events to the internet is a massive undertaking.
bbc.com
The family-owned soda firm that still uses returnable glass bottles
Soft drinks company Twig's Beverage has a loyal following for its old-fashioned approach.
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
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Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
bbc.com
Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"
bbc.com
The curious case of why Poundland is struggling during a cost-of-living crisis
Why - in an age where so many of us are feeling the financial pinch - are some budget shops on UK high streets having such a tough time?
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